The INKEY List CA Lactic Acid Exfoliant
Works for
ExfoliationLactic acidWorks well
“Lactic Acid Exfoliant”
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: lactic acid.
Evens skin toneLactic acidWorks well
“The mild exfoliator leaves your skin feeling renewed, with a more even tone and brighter appearance.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: lactic acid
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-agingLactic acidMay help
“Reduce dullness and congestion while helping to reduce the appearance of wrinkles with this multi-benefit exfoliating serum.”
This product contains lactic acid. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
MoisturizingLactic acid, Glycerin + 1 moreWorks
“The serum also features 1% hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin while exfoliating to increase the tolerance of the product.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, lactic acid.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Lactic acid~5.3–7.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidPropanediol~3.5–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolGlycerin~2.7–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinSodium hydroxide~1.9–2.9%
Ppg-26-buteth-26~1.4–2.2%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.95–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronatePhenoxyethanol~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPeg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.45%
Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateAgastache mexicana flower/leaf/stem extract~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Water, Lactic acid, Propanediol, Glycerin, Sodium hydroxide, Ppg-26-buteth-26, Sodium hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Agastache mexicana flower/leaf/stem extract
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
.png)
Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| The INKEY List CALactic Acid ExfoliantYOUR PRODUCT | MaeloveSuper Smooth Resurfacing Serum | Erno LaszloAHA Resurfacing Sleep Serum | It CosmeticsBye Bye Breakout Salicylic Acid Acne Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 70% | 69% | 68% |
| Price | — | $32.95 | $78.44 | $36.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
| Key difference | — | Salicylic Acid | Hexanoyl Dipeptide-3 Norleucine Acetate | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Clinique Moisture Surge™ Active Glow SerumPeter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Glow Serum
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 7 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 3
- 4
- 5Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.